Vivian Gaytan walks through a group of dresses at Velia Dasigns dress shop.

Vivian Gaytan walks through a group of dresses at Velia Dasigns dress shop.

Photo: Johnny Hanson / Houston Chronicle

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William Alexander Garcia shops at Maria's Gifts.

William Alexander Garcia shops at Maria's Gifts.

Photo: Johnny Hanson / Houston Chronicle

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New theater hopes to help revitalize PlazAmericas Shopping Center

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The Viva Cinema will occupy a shuttered, hurricane-damaged space that has remained vacant for the last five years, as the latest addition to PlazAmericas, formerly Sharpstown Mall.

The theater — sandwiched by a sports-bar-themed cantina and party space — opens May 31. It will show newly released movies in English with Spanish subtitles and movies from Spanish-speaking countries with English subtitles. The set up is like an Alamo Draft House, where patrons can eat and drink while enjoying a movie. The concept is different, however, because the food and drinks are purchased at either the cantina or concession stand, which has Latin-based snacks as well as traditional items.

The developers hope the new theater will be part of the revitalization of PlazAmericas. Read more about the updates on PlazAmericas in the last three years, the local vendors that have been successful in the center and the new cinema opening this month in either Sunday’s Business section or here on HoustonChronicle.com.